Chapter 18 — Though the Portal
Abigail's POV
I woke up to someone shaking me.
"Abigail,"
I groaned turning over.
"Abigail, please wake up," a voice said urgently.
I turned to my side. I was currently sleeping on the floor in the little room.
Azian and Edwin were fast asleep in the bedroom and Anna was sleeping beside me.
Well she was, now she was annoying me by waking me up.
"Abigail, there's someone outside," she whispered.
I sat up suddenly. I could make up her faint expression through the moonlight that streamed through the window. She was scared.
I heard a knock on the door again. Knock? Well, an intruder would have definitely just walked in. That thought however, did nothing to ease me.
Anna grabbed onto my arm. I could feel her nails digging onto my skin and her heart thumping wildly.
I stood up slowly and the knock came louder. By now my heart was racing as well.
She whimpered lowly.
"Shh" I hushed, putting one finger on my lip.
She nodded but stood up as well.
I tried to tell her to sit down but she shook her head vigorously.
Another knock brought my focus back.
I quickly remembered a spell that would make something trip or pause as o slowly approached the door.
I pressed my back against the door breathing out heavily.
Anna was right beside me.
"Are you ready?" I whispered
She nodded.
I closed my eyes for a second to relax myself.
3, 2, 1
I quickly swung open the door, "Aguala Ritai Recan Michael?!" I screeched.
He stood there in all his glory, tall but breathless probably from climbing the hills.
He touched his heart trying to regulate the breathing.
"Michael?" Anna asked as she stared at him.
Her eyes looked at him in disbelief.
He smiled, "I'm here chestnut," he said softly, his wide-eyed expression suddenly fading to a more anxious one.
She smiled wildly tears stringing down her face as she jumped into her husband's arm.
"Oh my god I missed you so much!" She cried into his chest, "I thought I lost you! Oh, thank the gods!"
"I missed you more chestnut, you have no idea. I missed you both so much!" He said tapping her humongous bump.
He kissed her and she kissed back with the same emotion.
Tears run down the side of my face as I watched them.
They were still standing by the open door.
His large arms entrapped her; his short brown dreadlocks tied neatly into a bun.
His huge frame blocking the wind to shield his almost due pregnant wife.
They held on to each other for a few more minutes.
Then Michael looked up at me.
Tears where in his eyes as well.
"And you too Abi, I thought you were dead or lost," he said grinning.
"Aww, you know I won't die before you," I said grinning as well.
He paused for a second as if thinking then laughed, "You are VERY right, come on Abi, bring it in!" He said raising his other arm.
I smiled wildly skipping into his arms and he wrapped both Anna and I in the best hug of my life.
"Is everything okay?" A small voice said behind us.
I turned around to see both Edwin and Azian.
Edwin was standing in front of Azian protectively, holding a fierce scowl on his small face.
looked like a small warrior ready to defend his king.
We all chuckled at the sight as I closed the door.
"Everything's okay Edwin, This is my dear friend Mi-"
"Michael!" Edwin screeched his scowl turned into a wide smile.
"Hey there buddy, good to see you in the flesh eh?" He said as Edwin rushed into his wide arms.
Anna and I exchanged glances.
Had we missed something?
"I was wondering when you would come!" Edwin screeched.
Michael laughed, "I'm telling you I would have come much earlier but there was a small matter of the citizens trying to kill me, it was safer until I waited for nightfall to come to you," he explained with the same easy grin. "What do you mean citizens trying to kill you?" Anna asked worriedly.
"Chestnut don't get worried, you're pregnant," he replied turning back to Edwin "Women" he whispered.
Edwin laughed.
"And this must be Azian," Michael said looking at Azian after a few moments of silence.
By the way he was staring at Azian I knew he was thinking the same things that Anna and I thought when we first saw Azian.
A god.
Azian nodded. A bit shy at first then shot himself into Michael's large arms.
Michael was surprised at first but hugged back with the same intensity.
"I like you," Azian began, "you remind me of father," he finished.
Michael chuckled, "I'm glad I make you feel at home,"
Azian nodded, "you're muscles are so big, but not as big as Edwin's father, he is way too big. You are just the right size," he said.
I laughed when I heard this.
He was right. Tar was humongous and scary.
I suddenly felt sad.
Tar was dead.
Edwin laughed walked toward me.
"I know you're sad because of Father Abigail, but he is fine, I talked to Death, he said he was pretty beaten up, but he will recover just okay," Edwin explained.
I looked up at him hopefully and he smiled reassuring me.
I suddenly felt very happy and light.
Michael stood upright as Anna hugged him again then readjusted herself but not letting go of her arm around his waist.
I understood that, she felt calmer breathing in his scent.
He chuckled rubbing her back lightly.
I nodded wondering how our sleeping arrangements would be.
Plus something else was bugging my mind.
"Michael?" I began.
"Mm," he hummed as he took a seat with Anna on his laps.
His large hand rubbing her tummy and laying soft kisses in her brown chestnut hair.
She giggled lightly.
She was happy.
"How did you know about Edwin and Azian?" I asked curiously.
He looked up at me, "I should be asking you two, someone didn't want me to die in peace," he chuckled warmly.
Anna looked at him with sudden tears in her eyes, "you died? You really died?" She asked tears now falling freely. "Shh, chestnut, don't cry my love," he eased kissing her forehead and she buried her face in his neck.
He sent me a 'look what you did now' glare.
I shrugged sending him an 'I don't know what you're talking about ' glare back.
After a moment, Anna had stopped sobbing a little and was content with the light circles he was drawing on her back.
Pregnant girls need all the love they can get I figured. Azian and Edwin were cuddled in the chair next to me watching us like hawks as we talked.
They did not want to go to sleep.
"Well when I...you know," he began, I suppose not wanting to say 'died' probably because of Anna's emotions.
"I was given the chance to be immortal. That's when I met the little Edwin over there, "he said grinning.
Edwin laughed lightly.
"He struck a deal with death and bang! Am here alive and walking,"
Anna cried softly again as he played with her hair.
He soothed her like a big baby.
"That was when peanut and I got talking," he continued.
"Peanut? Who is peanut?" I asked curiously "Oh...that's death, my nick name for him. Apparently were buddies now,"
Edwin chuckled.
"You're friends with death?" Anna asked bewildered.
"What did I say Anna? Don't worry, yes I am friends with death seeing that I am now immortal, and death is lacking on the friends equation. He only has a bunch of dead souls and his wife Amora, "he explained. Both Anna and I looked up at him in shock.
So now he and death, the death were best friends? Is this a joke?
He laughed when he watched our expressions.
"Despite what you two might think, peanut is not really a monster. I mean I call him peanut. Death is not heartless and let me tell you that you would be shocked to see how normal and crazy he is,"
"Really?" Both Anna and I said at the same time in an unconvinced tone.
"Really!" Both Edwin and Michael replied at the same time then started to laugh.
I looked at them as if they were crazy.
After the laughter died down Michael looked at me his face suddenly serious.
"How many hours left before dawn?" He asked.
My magic whispered the answer to me, "four until daybreak, why? What's the matter?" I asked trying to read his expression.
As you reach the final pages, remember that 000005s.org is your destination for the complete story. Share the joy of reading with others and spread the word. The next chapter is just a visit away!
"We need to leave this cottage within the hour," he said.
Both Anna and I watched him questionably.
He sighed, "What did Queen Rebecca tell you Abi?" He asked.
Wow, Michael did know a lot. He even knew about the king and Queen?
"You know about the dragons?" Anna asked shyly.
Michael grinned, "You mean that Edwin is a Liche dragon and the great descendent of death? Believe me. I know death would not stop bragging."
Anna nodded, "and also that Azian-"
"Is the golden dragon prince. The first in ten thousand years and the last one ever?" Michael asked.
Both Anna and I nodded.
"Death would not shut up about that either," he replied.
Death seemed annoying.
"So, what did the Queen tell you to do Abigail?" He asked.
I thought for a minute, "she told me to get to the wardrobe, that it would take me safely out, "
Michael raised one brow, "and?"
"She also said I should take them to the Neut realm," I finished.
Anna watched me carefully, "you do know that the portal is in Paria guarded by the centaur and vampire guards right?"
"Well..." I began.
"Abi has another portal," Michael finished.
My mouth dropped. How did he know?
Michael shrugged as if he read my mind, "like I said, peanut talks a lot,"
"You have a portal?!" Anna screeched.
I rolled my eyes playfully, "I don't have it Anna, but I do know where one is located, near a mountain not far from here. The great witches before us made this emergency portal, just in case something happened,"
"A portal in the Skilz Mountains? How come no one has ever seen it?" She asked curiously.
"That's because a portal that big to shift between worlds required a great amount of power.
It was made during the dark ages five hundred years after the great battle. You know when the four kingdoms were at war for dominance. After the dragons were defeated, another war came up to see who would rule next. During that time, the witch kingdom suffered a lot. That is why the great witch Xavier laid down his powers to create the portal, therefore allowing another gateway for some witches to escape into the human realm. After that he could never do magic again. All his magic was now part of the portal. They say he cried tears of blood that day when he lost his magic.
He is still one of the greatest protectors that ever lived though he died a human." I finished telling the sad story of my ancestor.
"So, because of that only a great witch can see the portal," I explained.
I turned to look at Michael who had also listened to the story.
He nodded slowly, "sad story, but his bravery and sacrifice saved lives,"
I nodded in agreement.
"We should get to that portal, peanut told me you should be in the human world before dawn, it's not safe anymore, the guards are assembling to come up against you, they know you live near the mountains,"
What did he mean 'peanut told me that you (clearly meaning us and not him,) should be in the human world before dawn'
"You guys must start packing, we must leave Asap!" He announced.
I nodded.
******
We were now on the way to the portal.
I was lifting Azian, and Michael was lifting Edwin as we walked quickly.
Anna was doing well in keeping up seeing that she was holding her husband's hand as we made it through the trees.
We had been walking for an hour or so.
Azian was heavy seeing that he was already asleep.
I looked up at the sky and saw a small orange streak in the distance, dawn.
'Are we almost there?" Anna asked rubbing her belly.
I nodded, just a few more paces.
Finally, we reached a green valley, and I could see it.
"Over there!" I said pointing up ahead.
I forgot I was the only one who could see it.
When we reached the portal, I stopped before it shaking Azian gently.
He told me he wanted to see how the portal looks like.
He stirred up and I put him gently on the ground beside Edwin who immediately took his hand.
"I don't see anything? Why are we standing in this huge valley?" Anna asked.
I looked over at her smirking, "he cried blood; thus, I should give blood, "I said taking out a short dagger I had kept in my sleeve and a small bottle I had taken before leaving the house.
Before anyone could stop me I slit my arm and blood came pouring out.
Anna screeched and Edwin covered Azian's eyes.
I probably should have warned the little boys.
"What the hell Abi!" Anna yelled as my warm blood touched the green ground.
"Shh. Just watch," I replied..
Suddenly my spilt blood began to disappear into the ground.
Then there was a big bright light just as dawn hit.
As you reach the final pages, remember that 000005s.org is your destination for the complete story. Share the joy of reading with others and spread the word. The next chapter is just a visit away!
Everyone turned to see the light.
It was only then when I saw it, the magnificent portal.
Anna gasped and I saw surprised expressions on everyone's face.
The portal was indeed beautiful.
I let the remained of my blood spill into the bottle until it was almost full.
I muttered a quick healing spells for cuts and I saw my skin start to reattach itself.
I closed to bottle lead and tucked it safely away.
"Um...okay...its dawn now, "Michael began hesitantly, his eyes slowly traveling to Anna.
"You must go my love, with Abi and the boys," he explained.
Anna's eyebrows furrowed on confusion, "what do you mean I must go? Let's go Michael," she said harshly grabbing his arm.
He stopped her, "no chestnut, I cannot leave just yet,"
I had a feeling this would happen.
Her face became sour, "what do you mean Michael?! The portal is just there you can come with us!" She screeched.
"I need to take care of things here chestnut," he eased rubbing her back.
She pushed his hand off her.
"No! If that's the case I'll stay here with you!"
"You can't do that Anna; you have to go!" Michael fired back.
Oops he called her Anna and not 'chestnut.' That only meant he was very serious at the moment.
She noticed it to, because her eyes started watering, "Please Michael I don't want to lose you. Not again. I can't bare it," she pleaded.
His eyes softened, "chestnut you won't lose me, I'll be here. I'm immortal now I can't die. Peanut just told me I need to go to the dragons. Once the king and queen recover they will wage war against Daromia and the rest of the supernatural realm. I am the only one who can stop it, and your pregnant Anna, I can't take you with me! If something happened to you or my baby, I would lose it," he explained.
She nodded but that didn't stop the tears from falling.
Michael pulled her in hugging her softly, "it's not forever my love, I promise I'll come back for you, and I will visit, I would want to see my baby and my chestnut," he reassured her.
She sobbed gently into his chest.
"I want love like that," Azian said watching them.
All of us laughed at his little reaction.
"Will you go? Please baby?" Michael asked.
Anna nodded wiping her tears, "but you have to promise me to be safe," she said slowly.
"I swear, for you and my baby, I will," he said kissing her forehead gently.
His lips lingered there for a while.
I want a love like that too, I thought.
"Come on. Go in," he said pushing her gently towards the portal, "there's no time to waste."
She looked at the portal nodding and walking straight to it.
I watched him watch her with sadness as she walked closer to the portal.
Then suddenly she stopped and ran back into his arms kissing him with passion.
"Oh goodness no, "I muttered covering both Azian's and Edwin's eyes and shutting my own.
"I can still see!" Edwin shouted covering his own eyes.
We all laughed as they pulled away.
Anna smiled at him as they finally let go she walked to the portal blew him a kiss and walked through.
He sighed sadly as she disappeared.
"Go on in boys, it's safe," I assured them.
I watched both Edwin and Azian walk into the portal holding hands.
I smiled turning to Michael who also grinned, "Stay safe Michael," I whispered as I hugged him.
"I will, just promises me to protect Anna and my girl when she is born," he whispered back.
I nodded as we finally pulled away from each other.
I wiped away the lone tear that escaped down my cheek, smiling at him.
I reached for my bottle and handed it to him.
"Take," I said
He took the green bottle.
"It's filled with my blood, "I explained.
He scrunched up his face playfully and I laughed.
"Just spill it on the ground and then think of us whenever you decide to come visit, the portal will take you back to Anna,'
His face brightened pulling me for a hug, "thank you Abi, I will keep it safe, thank you so much,"
I nodded as we pulled away.
"See you then,"
"See you then,"
And with that I walked into the portal.